Rockford Sun

Village of Rockton Public Works Committee met April 4.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

Chairman Fridly called the regular meeting of the Public Works Committee to order at 6:31 pm. Members present: Mayor Peterson, Dan Barber, Scott Fridly, Arianne Honkamp, Tyler Seever and Don Self

Also present: Adam Bunge

Absent: Kevin Bunge

Motion by Mrs. Honkamp, second by Mr. Seever, to waive the reading of and approve the minutes of March 14, 2022. All ayes. Motion approved 3-0.

PUBLIC COMMENT

None.

VILLAGE ENGINEER – KEVIN BUNGE

Village Engineer Kevin Bunge was absent. Adam Bunge reviewed the engineering status report with the Committee. A copy of the engineering status report is on file with the Village Clerk’s office.

MAYOR – JOHN PETERSON

Mayor Peterson advised the Committee that he reached out to other mayors in the area in reference to grant writers. Mayor Peterson added that he spoke with the IEPA in regards to the Chemtool property and that there still is no agreement between Chemtool and the IEPA for the cleanup of the property. Mayor Peterson stated that the IEPA is making regular visits every 2 weeks to the Chemtool property.

WATER, SEWER, & GARBAGE – SCOTT FRIDLY

Mr. Fridly stated that he spoke to Mr. Bunge in regards to writing grants for the Village and Mr. Bunge advised that it would be more cost effective for the Village to hire a grant writer than pay Mr. Bunge’s staff to do this. Mr. Fridly said that Mr. Bunge is going to send him references.

Mr. Fridly advised the Committee that there is currently $400,000 in the sewer fund and that the general fund owes approximately $500,000 to the sewer fund. Mr. Fridly said that this needs to be taken into account before making a decision about the use of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.

Mr. Fridly stated that he spoke to the Administration Committee about hiring someone full-time to help Ms. Diduch and Mr. Self. Mr. Fridly said that he would like to hire a person with a maintenance background and that could help Ms. Diduch with events. Mr. Fridly stated that this is just an idea and that they can have more conversation about this later.

Mr. Fridly discussed waiving the formal bid process and the purchase requisition for Gasvoda & Associates that is up for approval at the Village Board meeting on April 5, 2021. Mr. Fridly said that this is to replace the blower at the sewer plant at a cost of $31,600. Mr. Fridly stated that this was discussed at the last meeting and that Mr. Barber wouldn’t be billed for this until next fiscal year. Mr. Fridly added that this would be paid for out of the sewer fund. The Committee was okay with this

STREETS AND WALKS – TYLER SEEVER

Mr. Seever discussed waiving the formal bid process and the Stone Ridge sewer improvements at a cost of $13,100 that is up for approval at the Village Board meeting. Mr. Barber stated that the Committee requested a price to take care of the hole that is a safety issue for the residents in that area and added that this would be paid for out of the current budget. Mr. Fridly said that this needs to get done, but that he would like to see three quotes for this project. Mr. Seever stated that he can add that as a stipulation when he seeks approval at the Village Board meeting. The Committee was okay with this.

BUILDINGS AND PARKS – ARIANNE HONKAMP

Mrs. Honkamp stated that the purchase requisitions for Nelson Carlson for a butterfly valve for the pool pit in the amount of $1,772 and the boiler burner for the pool heater in the amount of $4,789 are up for approval at the Village Board meeting on April 5, 2021. Mr. Self said that Nelson Carlson had given him a price a while back for both items and agreed to bill the Village in the next fiscal year. The Committee was okay with this.

Mrs. Honkamp advised the Committee that Resolution 2022-107: A Resolution of the Village of Rockton, Illinois Authorizing the Village to Approve and Intergovernmental Agreement between the Village of Rockton, the Talcott Free Library District, and Rockton School District 140 for Construction and Maintenance of Story Walk at Settler’s Park is also up for approval at the Village Board meeting. The Committee was okay with this.

PUBLIC WORKS – DAN BARBER

Mr. Barber provided the Committee with the first draft of the budget for next fiscal year along with the 5-year water and sewer plan. Mr. Barber said that the 5-year plans are what the Village should be doing, but this doesn’t mean that the Village has the funds to complete the projects.

Mr. Barber advised the Committee that they had to dig at a residence on Aldrin Road last Friday because they had to shut the water off and they couldn’t locate the shut off box. Mr. Barber stated that they finally located the shut off under a tree in the yard.

Mr. Barber said that he spoke with Deputy Chief Hollinger about a parking issue near Well #5 which is located in the area of Kocher Street and Blackhawk Boulevard. Mr. Barber stated that vehicles are parking in the area and that Public Works can’t get their vehicles through to perform maintenance on the well. Mr. Barber said that Atty. Szeto can modify the ordinance to add this as an area for no parking. The Committee was okay with this.

Mr. Barber added that he spoke to Kevin Connelly, a resident of 633 Kocher Street, in reference to a crack in his driveway. Mr. Barber said that Mr. Connelly believes the crack in his driveway was done with a saw cut when the sidewalk was installed several years ago. Mr. Barber stated that he met with Mr. Connelly and provided photos of the area in question to the Committee. Mr. Barber asked the Committee what they would like to do. Adam Bunge with C.E.S. looked at the photos and stated that there was not a saw cut in that area to install the sidewalk. Mayor Peterson said that he didn’t want the Village to do anything in regards to the driveway and the Committee agreed.

Mr. Barber also dicussed PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) testing with the Committee. Mr. Barber stated that the state of Illinois has a limit of .2 in drinking water where many other states are .7. Mr. Barber said that he will have to increase the budget to perform testing for PFAS and wanted the Committee to be aware of this.

Mr. Barber spoke to the Committee in reference to CDL driver’s licenses for employees. Mr. Barber said that he had a meeting with Winnebago County and other municipalities in reference to the requirements for obtaining a CDL. Mr. Barber said that Greg Jury, the mayor of Loves Park, is currently working with the Illinois Municipal League (IML) to get some of the laws regarding this changed. Mr. Barber said that he and Jake Costello, Assistant Superintendent of Rockton Public Works, have come up with a plan for employees to obtain their proper CDL.

Mr. Barber advised the Committee that the Village has obtained their draft Nutrient Pollutant Discharge Permit (NPDS).

PARKS & RECREATION DIRECTOR – DON SELF

Mr. Self stated he has several interviews scheduled for lifeguard and concession stand positions for the Village. Mr. Self added that Catch the Wave is no longer offering certification classes anymore for lifeguards. Mr. Self said that the concession stands should be up and running by the end of the month and that he will only be offering packaged goods only.

Mr. Self advised the Committee that he received two bids for the blowers in the bathrooms at the pool house and that he is waiting for two other bids. Mr. Self said that Cintas isn’t offering towel service anymore so the Village would have had to ultimately switch to hand blowers in the restrooms at the pool. Mr. Self said that the installation of the blowers should cost anywhere from $2,700-$2,900 and that this will be billed to the Village in June.

Mr. Self said that he is also getting quotes for regrading around the vault at Barwood because the Village has to be ADA compliant. Mr. Self stated that the water box also needs to be raised and Mr. Barber advised that the Public Works Department can take care of it.

Mr. Self added that the contact is about to expire with S&H Nursery in regards to the berm at Farm & Fleet. Mr. Self said that they have been doing a nice job and that he is going to take pictures of the berm for the next meeting and see if the Village can push this off for another year to save some money.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS ALLOWED BY LAW

Mr. Barber stated that he and Atty. Szeto attended virtual court in reference to the railroad crossing on Highway 75 near Mark’s Pizza. Mr. Barber said that the judge is leaning more towards the crossing being owned by the state, but that the Village may have to pay for the repairs that are needed and get reimbursed by the state.

ADJOURN

Motion by Mr. Seever, second by Mrs. Honkamp to adjourn at 7:24 pm.

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